AustraliaAustraliaJeremy M. RinkelJeremy M. Rinkel

The LandThe Land• Mountains and PlateausMountains and Plateaus

– Great Dividing RangeGreat Dividing Range

•Stretches along the East Coast from Cape Stretches along the East Coast from Cape York Peninsula to the island of TasmaniaYork Peninsula to the island of Tasmania

•Most rivers begin in the Great Dividing rangeMost rivers begin in the Great Dividing range

Western PlateauWestern Plateau• Flat land in central and western Flat land in central and western

Australia covers 2/3 of the continentAustralia covers 2/3 of the continent

• Very few people live in this areaVery few people live in this area

• This area is known as “The Outback”This area is known as “The Outback”

Nullarbor PlainNullarbor Plain• Treeless land that ends near the Treeless land that ends near the

Indian Ocean with breathtaking views Indian Ocean with breathtaking views from cliffsfrom cliffs

Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands• Separates the Great Dividing Range Separates the Great Dividing Range

and the Western Plateauand the Western Plateau

• Most rivers remain dry due to Most rivers remain dry due to infrequent rainfall, when it rains they infrequent rainfall, when it rains they fill with water completelyfill with water completely

Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands• Murray and Darling Rivers provides Murray and Darling Rivers provides

water for irrigating cropswater for irrigating crops

• Great Artesan Basin- underground Great Artesan Basin- underground water water – Artesan wells- are too salty for humans Artesan wells- are too salty for humans

and crops, but useful in watering and crops, but useful in watering livestocklivestock

Great Barrier ReefGreat Barrier Reef• Lies of the Northeastern coast Lies of the Northeastern coast • Is the world’s largest coral reefIs the world’s largest coral reef• The United Nations has designated The United Nations has designated

the reef as a World Heritage Sitethe reef as a World Heritage Site• Is a string of more than 2,500 reefs Is a string of more than 2,500 reefs

and stretches for 1,250 milesand stretches for 1,250 miles

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources• Only 10% of the land can be farmedOnly 10% of the land can be farmed• Australia’s farms are located near Australia’s farms are located near

the Darling and Murray Riversthe Darling and Murray Rivers– Wheat, barley, fruit, and sugar caneWheat, barley, fruit, and sugar cane

• In the Outback ranchers raiseIn the Outback ranchers raise– Cattle, sheep, and chickensCattle, sheep, and chickens

MineralsMinerals• ¼ of the world’s bauxite¼ of the world’s bauxite• Most of the world’s high quality opalsMost of the world’s high quality opals• Various deposits of coal, iron ore, Various deposits of coal, iron ore,

lead, zinc, gold, nickel, and lead, zinc, gold, nickel, and petroleumpetroleum

Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation• Tropical- Northeastern AustraliaTropical- Northeastern Australia• Deserts- interior of AustraliaDeserts- interior of Australia• Mid-latitude temperate areas of Mid-latitude temperate areas of

grasslands, scrub, and mixed forestsgrasslands, scrub, and mixed forests– Eastern, southern, and southwest coasts Eastern, southern, and southwest coasts

of Australiaof Australia• Differences in rainfall is the cause of Differences in rainfall is the cause of

these different climatesthese different climates

Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation• December thru MarchDecember thru March

– Western Plateau (desert area)Western Plateau (desert area)•Subtropical high pressure air masses block Subtropical high pressure air masses block

moist air from the Pacificmoist air from the Pacific•Daytime temperatures are hotDaytime temperatures are hot•Nighttime temperatures drop drasticallyNighttime temperatures drop drastically

Mild Steppe ClimateMild Steppe Climate• Surrounds the Western PlateauSurrounds the Western Plateau• Regular rainfall allows for vegetationRegular rainfall allows for vegetation

– Eucalyptus and acacia trees and small Eucalyptus and acacia trees and small shrubs growshrubs grow

• Annual rainfall ranges from 10-20 Annual rainfall ranges from 10-20 inches a yearinches a year

• Wattle- a strong interwoven wooden Wattle- a strong interwoven wooden framework for building homesframework for building homes

Coastal AreasCoastal Areas• Have a variety of moister climatesHave a variety of moister climates• Northeastern coast (humid-subtropical) Northeastern coast (humid-subtropical)

averages more than 80 inches of rain a averages more than 80 inches of rain a yearyear

• Southern coast (Mediterranean climate) Southern coast (Mediterranean climate) less rainless rain

• Southeastern coast (Marine West Coast)Southeastern coast (Marine West Coast)– Supports Australia’s agricultureSupports Australia’s agriculture

Population PatternsPopulation Patterns• Indigenous peoples and foreign colonizers Indigenous peoples and foreign colonizers

have made Australia very diversehave made Australia very diverse• Aborigines (Australia’s earliest people)Aborigines (Australia’s earliest people)

– Possibly the world’s oldest surviving culturePossibly the world’s oldest surviving culture– Nomadic hunter and gatherers arrived from Nomadic hunter and gatherers arrived from

Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia– Make up 2% of the populationMake up 2% of the population

Groups of AboriginesGroups of Aborigines• Arrente (central Australia)Arrente (central Australia)

– Believe in Dreamtime- a system of Believe in Dreamtime- a system of beliefs that they feel connects them beliefs that they feel connects them back to the beginning of time.back to the beginning of time.

• Palawa- live on the Island of Palawa- live on the Island of TazmaniaTazmania

PeoplePeople• EuropeansEuropeans

– Began colonizing Australia in the 1500sBegan colonizing Australia in the 1500s– Most people are of British descentMost people are of British descent

• AsiansAsians– Actively recruited immigrantsActively recruited immigrants– Immigrated to Australia for economic Immigrated to Australia for economic

opportunityopportunity

Density and DistributionDensity and Distribution• The physical geography attributes to The physical geography attributes to

an uneven distribution of peoplean uneven distribution of people– Very few live in the central plateaus and Very few live in the central plateaus and

desertsdeserts– Most live along the coastsMost live along the coasts

Early PeopleEarly People• Early Aborigines led a nomadic lifeEarly Aborigines led a nomadic life• They used various routes to reach They used various routes to reach

water and food sourceswater and food sources– Clans (family groups) traveled within Clans (family groups) traveled within

their ancestral boundariestheir ancestral boundaries• Men hunted animals with boomerangsMen hunted animals with boomerangs

– A heavy throwing stick that soars and A heavy throwing stick that soars and curves in flightcurves in flight

European ExplorationEuropean Exploration• James Cook (British sailor) undertook James Cook (British sailor) undertook

3 voyages between 1768-17793 voyages between 1768-1779– Claimed eastern Australia & various Claimed eastern Australia & various

South Pacific islandsSouth Pacific islands– He also circled AustraliaHe also circled Australia– Cook produced very accurate maps and Cook produced very accurate maps and

records of these placesrecords of these places

European SettlementEuropean Settlement• 1788- Britain used Australia as a 1788- Britain used Australia as a

colony for convicts sent from over-colony for convicts sent from over-crowded prisonscrowded prisons

• 1850s- Free British settlers 1850s- Free British settlers established coastal farms and established coastal farms and settlementssettlements– Wool from sheep was a major exportWool from sheep was a major export– Gold was also discoveredGold was also discovered

Indigenous PeopleIndigenous People• British forcibly removed many British forcibly removed many

Aborigines from the land and denied Aborigines from the land and denied them basic rightsthem basic rights

• Violence against them reduced the Violence against them reduced the populations greatlypopulations greatly

• 1850s most Aborigines were placed 1850s most Aborigines were placed on reserves or separate areason reserves or separate areas

IndependenceIndependence• 1901- Britain’s Australian colonies 1901- Britain’s Australian colonies

became states and formed the became states and formed the Commonwealth of AustraliaCommonwealth of Australia

• Became a dominion (a largely self-Became a dominion (a largely self-governing country) within the British governing country) within the British EmpireEmpire

• It’s government is a blend between It’s government is a blend between U.S. Federal system and the British U.S. Federal system and the British Parliamentary DemocracyParliamentary Democracy

EducationEducation• Australia provides free and Australia provides free and

compulsory educationcompulsory education• 99% Literacy rate99% Literacy rate• Many students attend universitiesMany students attend universities• Students in the remote Outback Students in the remote Outback

region receive and turn-in region receive and turn-in assignments through the mail and assignments through the mail and communicate by two-way radioscommunicate by two-way radios

HealthcareHealthcare• People in the city have access to quality People in the city have access to quality

healthcare and social serviceshealthcare and social services• Rugged terrain and long distances in Rugged terrain and long distances in

rural areas make access to healthcare rural areas make access to healthcare difficultdifficult

• Many Aborigines suffer from poverty, Many Aborigines suffer from poverty, malnutrition, and unemploymentmalnutrition, and unemployment

• Private organizations have been trying Private organizations have been trying to make up for past injusticeto make up for past injustice

LanguageLanguage• English is the major languageEnglish is the major language

• Strine- (Australian English) unique Strine- (Australian English) unique vocabulary from Aborigine words, vocabulary from Aborigine words, terms from original settlers, and terms from original settlers, and slangslang

ReligionReligion• Aborigines focus on the relationship Aborigines focus on the relationship

between humans and naturebetween humans and nature

• Christianity is the most widely Christianity is the most widely practiced religionpracticed religion

The EconomyThe Economy• Australia is the world’s leading Australia is the world’s leading

exporter of woolexporter of wool• Most of the land is devoted to raising Most of the land is devoted to raising

livestocklivestock• Less than 5% of the population work Less than 5% of the population work

in agriculturein agriculture

The EconomyThe Economy• Stations (Australia’s ranches) Stations (Australia’s ranches)

sometimes are as large as 6,000 square sometimes are as large as 6,000 square miles or about the size of Connecticutmiles or about the size of Connecticut

• Less than 10% of the land is arable or Less than 10% of the land is arable or suitable for growing cropssuitable for growing crops

• Technology and new irrigation systems Technology and new irrigation systems help farmers make use of the limited help farmers make use of the limited landland

Mining and ManufacturingMining and Manufacturing• Leading producer of various minerals Leading producer of various minerals

from the South Pacificfrom the South Pacific– Diamonds, gold, bauxite, iron ore, opalsDiamonds, gold, bauxite, iron ore, opals

• High transportation costs limit High transportation costs limit miningmining

• The land rights of Aborigines also The land rights of Aborigines also limits where mining can occurlimits where mining can occur

TransportationTransportation• Have the most advanced road and Have the most advanced road and

railway systems in Oceaniarailway systems in Oceania• In the coastal areas, highways are In the coastal areas, highways are

well-maintainedwell-maintained• Subways provide public transportationSubways provide public transportation• In the Australian Outback, very few In the Australian Outback, very few

roads exist roads exist

Transportation IssuesTransportation Issues• Long distancesLong distances• Harsh climates Harsh climates • Obstacles to land travelObstacles to land travel

• Air and water travel are vitally Air and water travel are vitally importantimportant

CommunicationCommunication• Same geographic issues make Same geographic issues make

communication a problem as wellcommunication a problem as well• Cattle stations in the Outback are Cattle stations in the Outback are

large enough for their own post office large enough for their own post office and telephone exchangesand telephone exchanges

• Cellular, digital, and satellite Cellular, digital, and satellite communication, including the communication, including the internet are common in some areasinternet are common in some areas

Trade and InterdependenceTrade and Interdependence• Improved transportation and Improved transportation and

communication have increased trade communication have increased trade between the South Pacific and the rest between the South Pacific and the rest of the worldof the world

• During most of the 1900s, Australia During most of the 1900s, Australia mostly traded with the U.K. and United mostly traded with the U.K. and United StatesStates

Trade and InterdependenceTrade and Interdependence• Recently expanded trade with the Recently expanded trade with the

neighboring countries in Asianeighboring countries in Asia– Japan, Taiwan, and ChinaJapan, Taiwan, and China

• Became a member of the Asia-Pacific Became a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)Economic Cooperation (APEC)

• Is pursuing free trade agreements Is pursuing free trade agreements with China and the Association of with China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Oceania and AustraliaOceania and Australia• Have some of the planet’s richest Have some of the planet’s richest

and diverse natural resourcesand diverse natural resources

• Resources haven’t been managed Resources haven’t been managed well and now face many well and now face many environmental challengesenvironmental challenges

Unusual AnimalsUnusual Animals• Home to many unique animal speciesHome to many unique animal species

– Kangaroos, koalas, wallabiesKangaroos, koalas, wallabies• Have been threatened by the human Have been threatened by the human

introduction of nonnative animalsintroduction of nonnative animals– Europeans brought various animals and Europeans brought various animals and

they have taken over the original habitat they have taken over the original habitat of the native animalsof the native animals

• 16 types of marsupials are now 16 types of marsupials are now endangeredendangered

Forest, Soil, and WaterForest, Soil, and Water• Woodlands have been cleared for Woodlands have been cleared for

farms and grazing landfarms and grazing land– Leaves land vulnerable to wind and water Leaves land vulnerable to wind and water

erosionerosion• Soil conservation is closely linked to Soil conservation is closely linked to

reducing deforestationreducing deforestation• Drought, salt, irrigation, and Drought, salt, irrigation, and

agriculture runoff has threatened agriculture runoff has threatened freshwater supplyfreshwater supply

Oceania Oceania • Faces challenges in managing its Faces challenges in managing its

freshwaterfreshwater• Small coral atolls and volcanic Small coral atolls and volcanic

islands have very little freshwaterislands have very little freshwater• The lack of clean drinking waterThe lack of clean drinking water

– Keeps the standard of living lowKeeps the standard of living low– Poses barriers to economic growth of Poses barriers to economic growth of

countriescountries

Environmental Effects on Environmental Effects on the Great Barrier Reefthe Great Barrier Reef

• Agriculture run-off, fertilizers, organic, Agriculture run-off, fertilizers, organic, and toxic waste endanger the reefand toxic waste endanger the reef

• Coral environments are also stressed Coral environments are also stressed by:by:– touriststourists– BoatersBoaters– DiversDivers– Oil shale miningOil shale mining– Increased water temperaturesIncreased water temperatures

Environmental Effects on Environmental Effects on the Great Barrier Reefthe Great Barrier Reef

• Coral bleaching- the breakdown of the Coral bleaching- the breakdown of the relationship between coral and the relationship between coral and the algae that provide these organisms algae that provide these organisms with nutrientswith nutrients

• Pollution threatens all kinds of marine Pollution threatens all kinds of marine lifelife– Plankton (very small organism) dies off Plankton (very small organism) dies off

which leads to other larger animals dyingwhich leads to other larger animals dying

The Nuclear LegacyThe Nuclear Legacy• The U.S. and other countries tested The U.S. and other countries tested

nuclear weapons in the South Pacific nuclear weapons in the South Pacific during the 1940s and 1950sduring the 1940s and 1950s

• The effects of radiation exposure and The effects of radiation exposure and environmental damage have environmental damage have continued for generationscontinued for generations

The Nuclear LegacyThe Nuclear Legacy• Antinuclear activists are very Antinuclear activists are very

powerful and large groups play a powerful and large groups play a major role in the South Pacific major role in the South Pacific countries’ political systemcountries’ political system